Vivian Faith Prescott was born and raised in Wrangell, Alaska. She is a fifth generation Alaskan. Vivian is currently an MFA student in the University of Alaska Anchorage’s low-residency program.
1. Trust your instincts. Learn to trust where your writing wants to take you whether or not you’re writing prose or poetry. If your character wants to have a pet iguana, let her.
2. There’s a story in everything and that story can be shaped by our writing. We need to take the time to listen to other people’s stories and the stories of the landscapes we live in, i.e., the natural/political/and personal landscapes. Be a good listener.
3. Writing teaches you to use your emotions. If you’re sad, jump right in and write; if your angry, hurt, happy, etc…jump right in and use those emotions as a catalyst. You might be surprised what crops up in your writing.
4. Writing is an art. In order to become a better artist we need to practice every day. Committing to your art is a commitment to your sense of ‘self.’
4.9. Writing teaches you to appreciate other writers. It might look easy, but it isn’t.